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At 9:30 a.m. June 4, special guests rang the New York Stock Exchange opening bell signaling the market’s daily opening. In 1956, a 10-year old launched the tradition as the first guest to ring the bell. Leonard Ross won a television quiz show answering questions about the stock market. On this more recent June morning, […]

A report released last week reveals insights tied to the 436 U.S. Congressional Districts of the 114th Congress. Analysis provides insight that should be at the heart of assessing public policy and economic development initiatives.

My colleagues at Thinkspot and I recently explored the business costs and economic impacts of discrimination and non-discrimination in the Florida workplace. After crunching the hard numbers, we discovered that discrimination in Florida costs businesses $362 million. Each year. Three-hundred and sixty-two million. In response to the release of our study, a reporter reached out […]

NEW research conducted by Thinkspot on behalf of Equality Means Business finds that the costs of formal and interpersonal discrimination against LGBT Floridians exceed $362 million in lost productivity and turnover alone. Explore the analysis for yourself by downloading a copy of the study.

It may seem elementary, but perhaps we need to say it: Yes, data is important. And so are basic business practices. Both help us understand where and how we are strategically, and help us implement our daily business effectively at a tactical level. Every single day, businesses are looking at communities, gauging reputations of talent […]

What happens when the discussion moves to one of success, with high jobs multipliers in play and low unemployment? We joyfully shift the community conversation to one of success. But that special conversation brings its own set of challenges. Collaborative partners and leaders in the region need to shift perspective to a long-term strategic view […]

Could it be a sign of the times, or a renewed expression of the long-recognized value in the American spirit of creativity and innovations? Across economic development organizations, workforce boards, and communities, we are seeing a fresh push for and focus on entrepreneurship and the growth of ideas into markets. Major universities are also focusing […]

Economic growth is not economic development. When we mistake growth for development, we confuse activity with progress. Imagine a cyclist boasting of his morning rides at sustained speeds in excess of 35 mph.

What They’re Saying

Our partnership with Thinkspot continues to grow because of the shared belief that communities must drive their own futures. This philosophy is integrated into a refreshing approach from data-driven analysis to dynamic facilitation that promises to deliver comprehensive and actionable strategies.